He was found with severe face and head injuries on waste ground beside Woodbourne police station, which is just yards from his home in the Lenadoon estate, during the early hours of yesterday morning.

An ambulance was called at about 2am but Mr Fox died at the scene.

An 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon by officers from the PSNI’s Serious Crime branch and a second man, also 18, was arrested later in the day. Both remained in custody last night.

Parish Priest Fr Martin McGill, who spent much of yesterday comforting Mr Fox’s devastated widow Phyllis, their five sons and three daughters, said: “That’s my understanding of what happened but I don’t think it is clear at this stage. But yes, he was up at Donegal Celtic.

“The investigation is still very much live.

“Seamy was a very well respected member of our local community. He was a quiet, decent good man. A loving husband, father and grandfather.”

Meanwhile at the family home at Horn Drive relatives were too upset to speak to the media.

One family member told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are still not sure exactly what happened. It’s just too early to say anything.”

It is understood plans are being made to hold a vigil in Lenadoon either tonight or over the weekend.